O'Neill - I won't be held to ransom

MARTIN O'Neill knew all along that Villa "would be held to ransom" with inflated prices in the transfer market- but he remains convinced he is on the verge of bringing in the players he wants, insisting: "there is no desperation from me".

MARTIN O'Neill knew all along that Villa "would be held to ransom" with inflated prices in the transfer market- but he remains convinced he is on the verge of bringing in the players he wants, insisting: "there is no desperation from me".

O'Neill has an urgent need to find a right-back and has been linked throughout the summer to Porto's Jose Bosingwa and more recently Arsenal's Justin Hoyte.

Centre-back cover is also a priority but he remains a way-off any deal with Albion who want #8million for Curtis Davies, although he will not give up the chase.

O'Neill clearly shares some of the frustration felt by supporters who expected more than two signings and a loan keeper.

But like a Las Vegas card shark he is prepared to bide his time.

"It's nothing new. Even in January when I knew I was under pressure to get some players in, I knew there was a fair chance people would hold us to ransom," he said.

"This is the same sort of thing. The fact is that a number of the targets we have been after, I would have thought they would have been ensconced with us at this moment, because of the work we have done pre-season and from all the conversations we had with the football clubs.

"That has not materialised for one reason or another, but these things are still worth pursuing.

"It's been that sort of summer, but ever since the TV money came in everybody was pretty aware that TV money equals higher prices.

"I've said before that there is no desperation from me. We will have the players in by the end of the month. It's as simple as that."

O'Neill remains steadfast in his belief that he will get his men in and is refusing to budge from his preferred targets.

But as time goes by he admits that he has alternative players lined up, with a versatile defender eyed to perhaps fill both positions or fill in at left-back.

"We need to get a few defenders in for a start. It would be great if we could get a defender in who could play in a number of different positions."

Craig Gardner has done well as a make-shift full-back for Villa this summer, but will not be deployed there beyond the next three games against Newcastle, Fulham and Bolton.

O'Neill added: "In terms of us having a recognised full-back, that's really the main target, but if that didn't materialise and the one that I want didn't materialise for some reason or other, then getting defenders in who are adaptable would be more than a compensation.

"So that's also in my mind. We have a number of alternatives, like everything else and we'll get them in. It's as simple as that.

"I know that, but I think it's just worth waiting for the people I think will be absolutely ideally suited."